Blackbird Donuts, South End, Boston

I remember, rather fondly, my dad picking up donuts for breakfast after Sunday School every week.  We lived in a small town, and the donuts came from our neighborhood convenience store.   They were not fancy.  They were typical, probably a little stale, and 100% mass produced....but they were special.  They were a treat, therefore they were absolutely delicious.  

Donuts have come a long way.  Over the past few years incredible, small batch bakeries specializing in just those circular pastries have been popping up all over the country, with the latest one popping up on Tremont Street in Boston's South End.  Blackbird Donuts, opened by the masterminds behind The Gallows, is breaking the rules with their creations, and doing so without sacrificing quality.

They launched just a few weeks ago busting out of the typical donut flavor combinations and instead embracing the unusual.  Siracha Sesame Seed- lets just start there.  A glazed donut (my personal favorite) iced with a Siracha glaze packing a little heat into that sugary goodness, and then topped with hundreds of crunchy little sesame seeds.  The mix of sweet and spicy, and the added textural component with the sesame seeds created donut perfection.  Every bite

held my interest and made me crave another.  

The extreme nature of the Siracha Sesame was unique and intriguing, but didn't overshadow their other offerings.   The second on my list was the Honey Lemon Pistachio.  A bit more traditional in its sweetness factor, but with the tang of true lemon that cut the sweetness in just the right way.  The pistachios lent texture relief.  

The real story here though, isn't the flavor components, it isn't the toppings.  The story here, the true beauty of Blackbird, lies in their plain, simple unadorned donuts.  They embody decadence, their pillowy softness flavored simply with yeast and a hint of sugar.  They are fresh, they are decadent, they are perfect.

Blackbird Donuts are the new kid on the block, but aren't letting that hold them back.  They are open Thursday through Sunday- get there, and indulge.  ASAP.